CYC Sports

As the CYC sports season moves from soccer and volleyball into basketball we bring you three examples of sportsmanship.  We congratulate all our players and coaches who practice good sportsmanship every time they take the court or the field.  We also thank those folks that observed these acts and shared them with us, in an effort to recognize and promote good sportsmanship at all our CYC activities.

- St. Gabriel's Athletic Association held its annual 4th grade basketball tournament over the Christmas Holidays.  On two separate occasions, Alex McAteer, a St Gabriel 4th grader went out of his way to help an opposing player up from the floor after they had fallen.  Then in the next game he played went to the aid of an injured player from St. Simon's team and comforted him until his coach came over to help.  Congratulations Alex, that's a great way to start the season!!

- This is a story of sportsmanship by many.  A couple of weeks before the North County Volleyball Spirit Games, Mary Wilhelm, an 8th grade volleyball player from Holy Trinity, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  The players and families of Sacred Heart-Florissant came up with a way to honor Mary at the Spirit Games.  Along with the prayers they said for Mary, they made headbands that were printed with an orange ribbon (Leukemia's ribbon color) and Mary's initials, MW.  The Sacred Heart coach, Shelley Gotsch, had enough headbands made to give to the Holy Trinity team and other players that were friends of Mary's.  Both teams wore the headbands at the Spirit Games and also in their playoff games.  It is amazing how two teams can find friendship among each other and help lift spirits even though they will be competitors against each other on the court.  Pulling for each other and Mary is a great way to come together at the end of their grade school volleyball season.  They will all remember the outstanding friendships they have created through CYC volleyball.  And they ask that we all continue to pray for Mary and her family.

-    On January 4th, Brian Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, wrote an excellent story about great sportsmanship in the high school basketball game between Fox and Kirkwood High School.  He described how David "Chubbs" Stillman was carried off the court that night on his teammates shoulders.  Did he sink the winning basket of a championship game?  No!  Chubbs is a Special Education student at Kirkwood High School who tried out for the freshman basketball team, and end up being the manager of the team for four years.  As a senior he got to play in this game, and yes he did sink 2 shots.  More importantly, Kirkwood coach Bill Gunn and his friend, Fox coach Chris Wilkerson understood how important a moment like this can be not only for Chubbs, a Special Olympics athlete, but also for everyone in the gym that night.  If you haven't read the story, we strongly recommend you do.  You can find it by clicking this link, 

But what is the link with the CYC?  Well David "Chubbs" Stillman is a kid who loves basketball, and played CYC basketball growing up in St. Peter's parish.  In fact, his father has coached a number of CYC teams over the years.  

Now it is your turn to look for those Random Acts of Sportsmanship as you play, coach or watch your next CYC game.  Then send an e-mail to buzzswanston@archstl.org so we can share that story on the CYC website.   

Immacolata parish invites all 3rd Grade Boys and Girls Basketball teams to enter the Mary McDermott 3rd Grade Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament.  The tournament is to honor Mary, a CYC player and supporter, who was born with a heart defect.  Although Mary passed away last December at the all too young age of 24, this tournament is a way to remember her spirit and determination as a player and person.  The tournament will take place on March 13th, 14th, 19th and 20th.  The entry fee is $150 per team, and all proceeds will go to the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.  Contact Steve Mattingly at sjm@misselaine.com for more information or to register your team.  Additional information can also be found by going to CYC Sports Tournaments at http://www.cycstl.net/sports/tournaments#basketball or click Mary McDermott 3rd Grade Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament.

THE CYC SPORTS DEPARTMENT OFFICES HAVE MOVED!!! 

We are now located at 4354 South Kingshighway, St. Louis, MO 63109, in the Msgr. Louis Meyer Youth Center at Magdalen (formerly known as St. Mary Magdalen Parish Center).  The move puts the offices of the CYC in the same building as the gym and next to the field.  The facility is owned by the Catholic Youth Apostolate.  Now the offices are located where CYC events take place.  The CYC will still have a presence in the Cardinal Rigali Center and will continue to hold some meetings and events at the Cardinal Rigali Center.  The new main number to reach the CYC Offices is 314-601-3971.  You can still use our past telephone numbers as they will be forwarded to us.

Feel free to stop by and view the facility; many changes have taken place with the gym and the area to be used as offices.

The Prepcasts Elite High School Girls Shootout II invites all CYC athletes to come watch some of the best high school girls teams in the St. Louis area in action on Saturday January 9th at CBC High School.           All CYC athletes that wear their CYC Jerseys will get in to the games FREE.  What a great way to start the CYC basketball season by seeing how the high school girls do it.  The schedule of games is:

3:45 Hermann (8-0) vs  Farmington (6-2)                                                                                                    5:15 Ft. Zumwalt West (9-1) vs Lafayette (4-4)                                                                                           6:45 Incarnate Word (11-0) vs Althoff (8-2)                                                                                                  8:15 St. Joseph (7-1) vs Webb City (9-0)

Saint Louis Athletica is hosting a One Day Soccer Clinic and Picnic on Monday December 28th at Vetta Sports in St. Charles.  Learn soccer from a Women's Pro Soccer All-Star, Lori Chulupny.  The two hour clinic will begin at 10:00am and end at noon.  Then from noon to 1pm will be a picnic style lunch with Lori Chalupny, Nerinx Hall soccer players, CYC and KEEN Kids.  KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) is a non-profit organization that provides recreational opportunities for children with developmental and physical disabilities.  The cost is only $30, and you must prepay on line at www.A1clinics.com .  For more information click on Saint Louis Athletica One Day Soccer Clinic.

Sunday afternoon December 13th, about half of the crowd at the Saint Louis University Women's basketball game against Indiana University were CYC players, parents and friends.  Although the Billikens dropped the game, 74-61, the crowd was treated to some good Division 1 women's basketball, and they enjoyed the CYC contests. 

At halftime 31 CYC girl players participated in a large game of Musical Chairs Billiken style.  When the music began the girls had to dribble their basketball, shoot a basket and get back to find a chair.  Then during a timeout the girls from Our Lady of Lourdes and Ascension competed in the Relay around the Billiken.  Plus some of the girls from Mary Queen of Peace were on the jumbotron.  You can see in the photo below that teammates are prompting the contestant with the correct answer, "C".  Thanks to all those who joined in the fun and remember to mark January 9th and February 27th as future dates of CYC Nights at the SLU Men's games.

Thanksgiving Week-end is Spirit Week-end for CYC Soccer and Volleyball.  If you were a Spirit Games soccer player you had plenty to give thanks for; No Rain, High Temperature into the 60s and 3 soccer fields in one location, so you didn't have to get in a car to get to a different field.  Thank yous go out to Mike Andrews and his South Central district which hosted this year's Spirit Soccer games.  A good time was had by all.

Thank you to Bill Halaz and his South County crew for providing a beautiful, dry, warm, 2 court venue at St Margaret Mary Alacoque as hosts of the Spirit Games for volleyball this year.  Sixteen girls teams and four boys teams competed in two matches Saturday and Sunday at the South County gym.  Most games were very competitive and if you kept score by the smiles on players faces everyone was a winner!  Additional photos can be viewed by going to Events, Image Galleries, 2009, and clicking 2009 Volleyball Spirit Games.  

 4 BIG CYC NIGHTS AT COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAMES

FIRST - Sunday, December 13th at 2pm         SLU Women host Indiana at Chaifetz Arena                   Come watch this early season clash between Saint Louis University, A-12 upstarts taking on Big 10 power, Indiana.  Best of all, Kids wearing CYC Jerseys get in FREE.  CYC families and friends can get tickets for only $4 if they call the SLU Ticket Office at 314 977-1260 before 5pm Friday, December 11th.  There will be Pre- game and Halftime contests.  If your CYC team wants to participate in the contests, have your coach contact Buzz at 314 792-7604.

SECOND - Saturday, January 9th at 4pm at Chaifetz Arena       SLU Men host Richmond               THIRD - Saturday, February 27th at 7pm at Chaifetz Arena        SLU Men host Duquesne

               A young SLU Billiken men's basketball team host A-12 rivals Richmond and Duquesne in games which could have a spot in the post season conference tournament on the line.  All CYC tickets (Kids, family and friends) are only $9, but there is a limited supply of these seats.  It is first come, first serve for these CYC seats.  To reserve a seat call the Billiken Ticket Office at 314 977-1260 and ask for the CYC tickets.  No CYC tickets will be sold after 5pm Friday, February 26th.  Kids please wear your CYC jerseys!  If your CYC team wants to participate in the pregame contests have your coach contact Buzz at 314 792-7604.

FOURTH - Saturday, March 13 at 5 & 7:30pm at the Family Arena   Mo Valley Women's Championships See two exciting Missouri Valley Women's Basketball Semifinal games in St. Charles at the Family Arena.  This is another WEAR YOUR JERSEY AND GET IN FREE game, and tickets for family and friends are only $5 each. 

Ticket procedure for this is a little different.  To reserve BOTH complementary and paid discount CYC tickets you must contact Buzz Swanston at the CYC Office.  You can either call him at 314 792-7604 or e-mail him at buzzswanston@archstl.org   Tickets must be reserved by Friday February 26th.  Tickets will be paid for and picked up on gameday at the Family Arena Box Office.  Mo Valley is asking everyone to bring a donation of a personal hygiene item for the April Showers Campaign. 

One last item, with these games, we are inviting you and your CYC team to "Adopt a Mo Valley Team" this season.  As your team goes through your season, follow one of the women's Mo Valley teams through their season.  Learn about their players, read about the team online, and follow the team through their website.  When you reserve your tickets, let us know which team you have adopted.  Then come to Semifinal Saturday with signs to support your team!  We will have some prizes for the Best Signs in the Arena!!!  

We want to thank the folks that brought these 3 Random Acts of Sportsmanship (RAS) to our attention, and we encourage each of you to keep your eyes open for other RAS, especially now, during Playoffs and Spirit Games.  If you see something, simply e-mail the description to buzzswanston@archstl.org. 

1 - Casey McClure, 3rd grade boys soccer coach for St. Mary Magdalen was nominated by an opposing coach for his actions in a game back in October.  When the officials did not show up, Casey volunteered to referee a soccer game between his team and St. Gerard Majella.  Volunteering to officiate meant all the boys would still get to play the game.  But Casey showed great integrity when he had to call a penalty kick against his own team in a close game.  Then add to that, after his team lost a close game, each of his players made it a point to congratulate the St. Gerard players and say what a great game it was.  The St. Gerard players, coaches and parents were so impressed by this.  St. Gerard coach Paul Ruzicka said, "we are a better team because of the sportsmanship Casey and his players showed us today."  Thank you Casey and the St. Mary Magdalen soccer team for representing CYC Sports in such a wonderful way.

2 - In early fall, St. Elizabeth - St. Robert soccer parent and basketball coach Chris Arger passed away.  His daughter, Annelise plays on the 8th grade soccer team for SESR.  Before one of Annelise's soccer game this past October, Immaculate Conception - Dardenne coach, Jim Boyd, presented Annelise a memorial plaque honoring her father.  A number of parents e-mailed how incredibly touching and moving the gesture was.  We thank Jim Boyd and his ICD team for their Act of Sportsmanship and of Kindness.  Proving once again that there is so much more to CYC sports than the game itself.

3 - Ryan Janasik is a freshman at Kirkwood high school.  He plays soccer for the Pioneers, and grew up playing CYC soccer for St. Peters in Kirkwood.  Ryan took his Civics assignment to heart and elevated his Random Act of Sportsmanship to the International level.  While looking for a service project Ryan found  Honduras Relief, which is a Catholic based charity that helps the poor children of Honduras, and would love to provide them with soccer uniforms and equipment.  When Ryan looked at the Honduras website he saw kids kicking around a ball that was only rags tied together with string.  He saw children with no shoes or socks, with worn out shorts and shirts.  He wanted to help them play the game he loves.  So he made a plea to all the CYC parishes for donations of old jerseys and balls.  Ryan was overwhelmed with the responses he has received.  He has spent the last 6 weeks collecting uniforms, balls and equipment.  So thank you to all those parishes who pitched in to help Ryan.  To date Ryan has collected over 2800 uniforms!!!  He plans on sending them in December.  So it is not too late to donate, just e-mail buzzswanston@archstl.org and he will put you in touch with Ryan.  Although this RAS did not take place during a game, it will affect many lives and games in the future.  Great job Ryan!!!    

On November 7th and 8th a seminar was held in Rome.  The theme was 'Sport, Education and Faith: a new season for Catholic Sport Associations.'  Pope Benedict XVI had this message for the attendees, "Through sporting activities the ecclesial community contributes to the formation of young people, providing an environment appropriate for their human and spiritual growth.  Indeed, sporting initiatives - when aimed at the integral development of the individual and administered by qualified and competent personnel - represent a fruitful opportunity for priests, religious and lay people to become real educators and life-teachers for the young."

"Thus it is necessary", the Holy Father added, "that in our own time - when there is a pressing need to educate the new generations - the Church should continue to support sport for the young, making full use of sporting activity in its positive aspects such as, for example, the capacity to simulate competitiveness, courage and tenacity in pursuing goals."

In conclusion, Pope Benedict XVI highlighted how, "through co-ordinated educational activities, managers, trainers and Catholic workers must present themselves as experienced guides for adolescents, helping them to develop their sporting potential without overlooking those human qualities and Christian virtues that bring the individual to full maturity."